Closed source is sooo passé

HD VoIP

That decent VoIP service you're referring to would be using the very same AMR-WB codec as the Orange 3G HD handsets (some VoIP-capable Nokias already do). Not that I expect Orange to open up their cosy little walled garden to outsiders, but at least theoretically VoIP calls could be terminated to the Orange 3G network (and vice versa) without the need for transcoding, which generally wrecks HD quality.

One step forward and two steps back

Why doesn't the lack of VoIP support surprise me? The Eseries' Symbian S60 3.X is nearing end-of-life and the successor, Symbian^3, ditches integrated VoIP support. Symbian^4 reportedly reintroduces it again, but it's going to be a long wait. Eternity, perhaps?

Arranged marriage?

I wonder whether it's genuine love for Symbian or a money-greased arrangement? Nokia needs a crowd-puller for its unloved Ovi and Skype's new owners want ROI. The magical disappearance of the WinMob and Java clients are hardly coincidental.

Wishful thinking...

Anyone who's used a Maemo-powered Nokia N800 or N810 can vouch that Maemo is not a smartphone platform. Throwing in a cellular modem doesn't make it that either. All you get is a better-connected a MID or mini-netbook. Better hold on to that smartphone...

Media server

I second the suggestion to use it as an iTunes server. But I would add TwonkyVision, so you can stream iTunes content to DLNA/UPnP devices, like in my case, a Denon AV receiver and a PS3. If you want to save a few quid, use open source alternatives like OpenSUSE PPC Linux, MediaTomb and daapd.

Spectrum deregulation is fine if it's balanced with regulation that ensures the ensuing benefits are passed on to the little guys, the real innovators. Relying on the operators' supposed benevolence is just wishful thinking.

Can Google bin Android?

I agree with El Reg that Nokia will have to play the proprietary card for a long time to come in order to survive Google's services onslaught. Besides, Google wouldn't go through a costly exercise like Android if it didn't doubt Nokia's intentions. Who knows, maybe Android has already served its purpose. If Symbian truly becomes open source, why should Google bother with a complete OS instead of just releasing a Chrome for Symbian?

Learning curve

There's a learning curve to integrating WM, as there is to Symbian, but then again SE are old hands at the latter. I mean, they've made their share of mistakes with Symbian. With WM they're just getting started ;-)

The fact of the matter is that SE need WM to make a dent in the USA, where the lucrative enterprise market barely notices S60/Symbian, let alone UIQ/Symbian. Since there's life (OK, primitive life) outside of the USA, expect to see more Symbian smarties from SE. For the same reasons, I'd put money on Nokia coming out with a WM smartie, with a Qualcomm chipset inside (I suggest Nokia name it E666). Call it pragmatism or selling your soul to the devil, but either way, money rules.

Netbooks to the rescue?

I find the netbook reference interesting. If anything, netbooks benefit from the simplicity and user-friendliness of gOS. Yet Intel, the biggest proponent of netbooks, is pursuing Red Hat-based distros with their Moblin, even if Red Hat has that server bias. Intel really need to rethink who their partner with.

On a grander scale, what's interesting is that if netbooks do well, Linux gets a big boost out of it. Vista won't scale down, Symbian won't scale up, so what remains? Mac OS X? Too fringy.

Enforced mobile etiquette

..sorta

Not for the faint-hearted but certainly a budget option:

Take an ASUS wireless router, most of which come with one or more USB ports. Replace the firmware with open-source OpenWRT (www.openwrt.org).

Connect a Nokia mobile phone with the USB cable provided to the ASUS (I used an old 6680, but new-fangled HSDPA models like N95 should work as well and they give you more oomph). The Nokia acts as the modem and can be controlled with the venerable AT command set.

Install and configure ACM driver and PPP on OpenWRT. This is the hard bit and requires a fair deal of patience/smokes/coffee/wine and not to forget, Linux admin skills. Guidance and help is available on the OpenWRT forums.

40% market share...

...is unsustainable. Nokia got there mainly because of fumbles at Motorola (twice; first by fumbling the transition from 1G to 2G, then with the Razr navel-staring) and Ericsson (made phones styled like 80's Volvos).

Nokia is the one that needs to watch its step. Ovi is Nokia's misstep. You can nibble at the hand that feeds you, but you get slapped.